Freedom Communications Freedom Communications has received a letter of intent to purchase the East Valley Tribune in Mesa, Ariz., and keep the Pulitzer-Prize winning newspaper and Web site operating, Publisher Julie Moreno said Friday. Freedom, which is operating under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code, will seek approval from the bankruptcy judge to complete […]

By Tom Philpott: Military Update Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., chairman of House Veterans Affairs Committee, wants active duty veterans to have more “flexibility” to use Montgomery GI Bill (MGIB) benefits. He also will consider making Reserve MGIB benefits “portable” so they can be used after reservists leave service. But Buyer hasn’t endorsed that second change, […]

By Tom Philpott Rep. Steve Buyer, R-Ind., new chairman of House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, says the medical and rehabilitation needs of a new generation of war veterans leave him more certain than ever that Congress erred in 1996 when it opened VA healthcare to any veteran willing to pay modest fees. “While some veterans’ organizations […]

by Tom Philpott: CNJ columnist Republican majorities on the House and Senate veterans’ affairs committees have voted to impose an enrollment fee of at least $230 a year on 2.4 million veterans — one of every three now eligible to use VA healthcare. Those targeted are in priority categories 7 and 8, meaning they are […]

By Tom Philpott Moving fast on a key recommendation from a presidential task force, the House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman has introduced a bill to require “full funding’’ of VA health budgets to ensure timely care to almost all enrolled veterans, including many with no service-connected ailments. The Veterans’ Health Care Full Funding Act “would […]